After nearly two decades of brightening mornings on Today, Hoda Kotb knew stepping away from the show would be a major life shift.

But nothing could have prepared her for the emotional moment that unfolded on her very first day of retirement.

Kotb, 60, recently opened up about her transition from television to full-time motherhood at a Runway for Recovery event, which honors breast cancer survivors.

While she had anticipated a bittersweet farewell to the show she had dedicated 17 years to,

she wasn’t entirely sure how she would feel when Monday morning rolled around and her alarm clock stayed silent.

“I actually wasn’t sure how it was going to be,” Kotb admitted.

“When you leave something that you’ve done your whole life to then step into a Monday, you’re like, ‘Oh my God, it’s Monday. What is happening here?

How is this going to feel?’ I made myself a schedule because I really wanted to have something going on that day.”

For Kotb, retiring was all about prioritizing her family, specifically her two young daughters—Haley Joy, 9, and Hope Catherine, 5. She made the choice to step away from the television spotlight to be more present in their daily lives. Though she had some initial uncertainty, the first moments of her new routine quickly erased any doubts.

A Heartfelt Welcome from Her Daughters

Kotb’s first morning of retirement brought an unexpected and touching surprise from her eldest daughter, Haley. As the sun rose and the full moon cast a glow through her office window, Haley ran downstairs, taking in the sight of her mother at home on a weekday morning.

“She goes, ‘You really are here,’” Kotb recalled. “I was like, ‘I really am here.’ In that moment, confirmation comes over and over and over again.”

That warm welcome continued as she made her way upstairs to visit her younger daughter, Hope. The five-year-old greeted her with a single-word request: “Snuggle?” Without hesitation, Kotb climbed into bed and embraced the quiet joy of simply being there.

For Kotb, these small but meaningful moments reaffirmed her decision to retire. “Life is about tiny little moments. It’s about the in-betweens. It’s not about all the big things—it’s all the little things,” she said.

Embracing the Simple Joys of Daily Life

Since leaving Today, Kotb has been relishing the simple pleasures that her demanding television schedule previously kept at bay. Sleeping in, having breakfast with her daughters, and walking them to school have become cherished parts of her routine. She now finds herself among other parents, strolling alongside a group of kids and fellow moms, fully immersed in the everyday experience of motherhood.

“I mean, I’m with 10 kids and a couple of moms walking to school together. And I go, ‘This is awesome.’ Look at me with my sweats on and my coffee. I’m into it,” she shared.

Though she’s no longer a regular fixture on Today, Kotb remains a devoted fan and a steadfast supporter of her former co-hosts. “Girl, I am high-fiving. I’m texting, I’m calling,” she said, adding that her former colleagues continue to be incredibly supportive of her new journey. “They’re like, ‘What can we do? When do you need me?’ So they are here for my next great adventure.”

What’s Next for Hoda Kotb?

Retirement from Today doesn’t mean Kotb is slowing down. While she is savoring her newfound time with her daughters, she is also preparing for her next big venture—one that focuses on wellness. Describing retirement as a time that feels “fresh” and “like a new dawning,” Kotb is already gearing up for an exciting new chapter.

“I’m going to be doing a huge dive into wellness. We’re going to launch something coming up in May, and I am not sleeping,” she revealed with enthusiasm. “I’m very excited about the next chapter.”

As she embarks on this new journey, Kotb is proving that retirement is not the end, but rather a beautiful new beginning—one filled with love, family, and meaningful new adventures.